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Science News for March 20, 2014


Anti-counterfeit 'fingerprints' made from silver nanowires

A team of researchers from South Korea has developed a novel technique to authenticate goods by creating unique patterns made from tiny, randomly scattered silver nanowires. The 'fingerprints' are almost impossible to replicate due to their natural randomness and difficulty in manipulating the tiny materials.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNanotechnology·DateMar 20, 2014

Medicaid expansion may help prevent kidney failure, improve access to kidney-related care

A new study suggests that Medicaid expansion among low-income nonelderly adults can help prevent kidney failure and improve access to kidney disease care. States with broader Medicaid coverage have lower incidences of kidney failure and smaller insurance-related gaps in access to kidney disease care.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMar 20, 2014

Researchers discover underlying genetics, marker for stroke, cardiovascular disease

Researchers have discovered a genetic variant linked to an increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. The study found that variants in the FOCM pathway, which regulates homocysteine metabolism, are associated with differences in methionine processing, highlighting potential new targets for disease prevention and treatment.

Eyes are windows to the soul -- and evolution

A Cornell University neuroscientist's study finds that human facial expressions arose from universal, adaptive reactions to environmental stimuli. The findings suggest that emotional responses influence vision at the earliest moments of visual encoding, leading to contrasting eye movements that filter our reality.

SourceCornell University·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 20, 2014

New approach makes cancer cells explode

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new mechanism to kill glioblastoma cells using Vacquinol-1, which causes uncontrolled vacuolization leading to cell explosion and necrosis. This approach may lead to new cancer treatments, potentially working for other cancer diseases.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCell·DateMar 20, 2014

Thoughtful people more likely to infer improvements in race relations

New research by Jane L. Risen of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business shows that people are more likely to deny the persistence of racism after being exposed to a successful African American. Thoughtful individuals are particularly vulnerable to making quick inferences about racial disparity.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Booth School of Business·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateMar 20, 2014

Ancient clam gardens nurture food security

Researchers discovered that ancient clam gardens made by Aboriginal people produced quadruple the number of butter clams and twice the number of littleneck clams as unmodified clam beaches. This study provides practical insights into sustainable ancient marine management techniques for local food security strategies.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 20, 2014

Stanford professor maps by-catch as unintended consequence of global fisheries

A new analysis reveals the scope of by-catch in various regions, with high rates found in the eastern Pacific, Mediterranean, southwest Atlantic, and Southern Indian oceans. The study emphasizes the importance of community engagement and data-driven approaches to mitigate by-catch, particularly in less-regulated small-scale fisheries.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 20, 2014

(Not too) few but capable

Researchers from SISSA and ICTP developed a model simulating collective behavior of groups, finding the number of informed individuals, sociality, and decision strength as critical variables. The study suggests that even minimal fluctuations in these variables can lead to catastrophic changes.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateMar 20, 2014

Surprising new way to kill cancer cells

Scientists at Northwestern University have discovered that cancer cells rely on the FAS receptor and its binding component for survival, making them vulnerable to elimination. The team created a cancer cell completely devoid of CD95, which resulted in DNA damage and cell death, offering a promising new approach to kill cancer cells.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 20, 2014

Safety first, children

A University of Iowa study found that mothers and children often disagree on the danger of situations, but mothers can bring their child's thinking around with effective conversations. Mothers use a specific tactic to explain why a situation is dangerous, focusing on present features rather than potential outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalJournal of Pediatric Psychology·DateMar 20, 2014

School hearing tests do not detect noise exposure hearing loss

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine found that school hearing tests cannot effectively detect noise exposure-induced high-frequency hearing loss in adolescents. The tests primarily focus on low-frequency hearing loss and may not accurately identify hearing issues caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Medical Screening·DateMar 20, 2014

3-D model links facial features and DNA

Researchers at Penn State have developed a new method to link genetic markers with facial features, allowing for the extraction of individual gene effects on facial shape. This breakthrough could lead to improved forensic analysis and better understanding of human genetics.

SourcePenn State·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 20, 2014

Making life simpler for control freaks

Two brothers propose that all complex systems fall into just three basic categories, enabling control through understanding critical control points. This framework has implications for controlling economic systems, biological processes, and social networks.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience·DateMar 20, 2014

Excessive deer populations hurt native plant biodiversity

A study by researchers from the University of Miami and University of Pittsburgh finds that high deer populations facilitate garlic mustard population explosion while suppressing native trillium plants. Deer exclusion reversed invasive species growth, supporting an ecological theory where native plants exert biotic resistance.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 20, 2014

New tool pinpoints genetic sources of disease

Researchers have developed a new tool that combines genetic and epigenetic data to identify the underlying causes of complex diseases. By analyzing overlapping patterns, scientists can pinpoint specific genetic variants linked to conditions such as cancer and metabolic disorders.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateMar 20, 2014

Initiation of dialysis for acute kidney injury potentially dangerous for frail patients

A new study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that dialysis for acute kidney injury (AKI) is potentially hazardous for frail patients with lower creatinine concentration levels. In contrast, more robust patients experience increased survival and reduced mortality when receiving dialysis. These findings highlight ...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMar 20, 2014

New study shows we work harder when we are happy

Researchers found that happiness significantly increases productivity in the workplace, with participants producing 12% more work under happy conditions. The study suggests that employers can improve employee satisfaction and boost productivity by implementing employee support programs.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of Labor Economics·DateMar 20, 2014

Emergency room use rose slightly after implementation of Massachusetts health care law

Emergency department usage in Massachusetts rose by up to 2.2% after the implementation of a 2006 state law expanding health care access, according to a study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine. The study found that increased insurance coverage reduced financial barriers to care but did not significantly impact access to timely ...

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateMar 20, 2014

Scientists discover potential way to make graphene superconducting

Researchers at SLAC and Stanford University discovered a potential way to make graphene superconducting, which could transform the engineering of materials for nanoscale electronic devices. They found that electrons scatter between graphene and calcium layers, interacting with natural vibrations to conduct electricity without resistance.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 20, 2014

Scientists find mechanism to reset body clock

Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered a new mechanism that governs how body clocks react to changes in the environment. The enzyme casein kinase 1epsilon (CK1epsilon) controls how easily the body's clock can be adjusted or reset by environmental cues such as light and temperature.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 20, 2014

Fauci: Robust research efforts needed to address challenge of antimicrobial resistance

The threat of antimicrobial resistance is a global crisis that requires a multi-faceted approach, including strong basic, clinical and translational research. NIAID's new directions in antimicrobial resistance research aim to develop vaccines, point-of-care diagnostics, and new antibiotics to prevent and treat infections.

Inhibition of oral biofilm and cell-cell communication using natural-products derivatives

Researchers have identified six natural-products derivatives that can inhibit oral biofilm formation and quorum sensing in three indigenous oral Gram-positive bacteria. These compounds, structurally similar to S-ribosyl homocysteine, reduce bioluminescence in a Vibrio harveyi QS reporter, indicating inhibition of AI-2 based QS.

Genes play key role in parenting

A study by Michigan State University psychologists finds that genes account for 23-40% of parental warmth, control, and negativity towards children. Environmental factors also play a significant role in shaping parenting behavior, highlighting the complexity of this dynamic.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalPsychological Bulletin·DateMar 20, 2014